Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Today's Forecast
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Dry, Inversion
Banks of cloud or fog on lower or middle slopes, but higher terrain likely clear and sunny above an inversion.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Dry, Inversion
Banks of cloud or fog on lower or middle slopes, but higher terrain likely clear and sunny above an inversion.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 19th January 2025
Last updated
Sat 18th Jan 25 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Banks of low cloud over the southern Highlands and up the west coast to Skye, some patchy coastal drizzle. Many higher Scottish tops poking out above the cloud sheet. The northern Highlands sunnier. England & Wales sees fairly extensive low cloud, with only highest tops possibly poking just above cloud. Wind fairly light.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Some cloud/fog banks, mostly sunny north. Locally gusty.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, 10-20mph. Higher winds near mountain tops and eastern Cairngorm Plateau, up to 25mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Minimal effect in most places. Walking becoming impeded and some stability challenges on higher terrain.
How Wet?
No precipitation expected
Cloud on the hills?
Low fog/cloud banks, clear higher
Some fog/low clouds linger on lower slopes and bottoms of glens south of Cairngorm plateau, mostly below 700m. Thicker clouds in immediate vicinity of highest mountain peaks, though cloud tops staying near 800m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% low, 80% above 800m and north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Widely sunny above fog/cloud banks and generally northern areas toward Glenmore. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C, cooler in valley/glen fog patches. Up to 5C on north slopes of Cairngorm plateau.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but some partly frozen terrain with frost both on lower and some higher slopes - thawing in sunshine.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 20th January 2025
Last updated
Sat 18th Jan 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking starting to be impeded. Marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Little precipitation expected
Brief spells of rain possible, more likely west; sleet on higher tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Cloudy west, north/east mostly clear
Early patchy low cloud in most places soon clearing. Clouds quite persistent near Drumochter. Windward hills and tops of the Cairngorms will see cloud come and go, mostly clear further north/eastwards.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% west, 70% east
Sunshine and air clarity?
Where out of hill clouds, decent sunshine through some high clouds. Visibility good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C, up to 4C on northern hills. Feeling like -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Near freezing on highest summits
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 21st January 2025
Last updated
Sat 18th Jan 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest 20-25mph. Notably gustiness possible on higher terrain.
Effect of the wind on you?
Marked wind chill. Comfort of walking affected, gusts impacting stability.
How Wet?
No precipitation expected
Cloud on the hills?
Patchy clouds near south summits
Occasional cloud patches on higher ground of southwest slopes. Mostly clear north.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun between higher clouds. Good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C Feeling like -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Highest terrain frozen, some spots down to 1000m west.
Planning Outlook
Gradually lowering pressure and falling temperature during the days ahead - mountain tops dropping sub-zero widely into midweek. Some areas of precipitation, most frequent in western Scotland early in the new week, falling as snow over higher terrain, although total amounts generally small. Blustery over some higher slopes with marked wind chill, but speeds relatively light for many into midweek. Winds are likely to strengthen toward next weekend as deeper areas of low pressure over the Atlantic approach. Late January is likely to see more frequent precipitation and periods of gales or possibly stormy winds at times; fluctuating temperatures and freeze-thaw cycles.